I'm freaking out!!!

Everything has went great my whole pregnancy and then yesterday I had a ultrasound. I was 36 weeks exactly yesterday and they are saying my baby is really small. They said he's 5 lbs. The doctor told me my baby is in the 18th percentile and they are suppose to be in the 50th percentile... Now they wanna induce me by 39 weeks and I have to go in twice a week for a nst and once a week for an ultrasound. I'm so scared something is wrong with him but they said he was active and heartbeat sounds good... I just can't stop worrying. I can't sleep and I've been crying all day. I know I'm a little sensitive right now but I'm just scared. I have two other sons that were born huge. My first son was 9 lbs 12 oz and my second son was born at 37 weeks and was 7lbs 14 oz.. That's one week away from what I am now and this baby is only measuring 5 lbs... I am healthy. I don't smoke or drink or do anything bad. I try to eat healthy. I just don't understand... Has anyone had this happen before?? How was the baby? Was everything ok?? I just can't get it out of my head that the doc said he's in the 18th percentile. That just sounds horrible to me :(

I have pre-eclampsia and have been on complete bed rest for seven weeks now. They do growth scans every two to three weeks (plus NSTs twice a week, labs once a week, and AFI (fluid check) once a week).

Yes, they were a little concerned, but they could see that our baby had gained some weight from the last scan. My placenta, umbilical cord, and fluid looked good, so there wasn't an obvious reason for the smaller size.

My doctor said estimates during the 3rd trimester are just that - estimates. They can be wrong. I may end up having a 7 or 8 pound baby next week (I'm being induced at 39 weeks due to pre-e), or I might have a 6 pound baby. The point is that 1) some babies are smaller and 2) estimates can be wrong.

I know you're worried. Believe me, I understand. Try to stay calm. They are keeping a closer eye on your baby, which is good. T&P.

My baby went from 49th to 29th to 24th percentile in three growth scans spaced 3 weeks apart. We were very worried at the last one but our OB was not. She said the blood flow looked good and my twice-weekly NSTs were also great so there was nothing to worry. Also that the further along you are the u/s estimates were less correct.

My little sister was born in the tenth percentile and she's perfectly fine. She was just smaller than everyone else. Now she's up to speed with everyone else as far as height and weight. She's 110% Healthy now and at birth. Doctors don't always have the right guess. Mine guessed 8lbs for my first and he came out 9.7. That's a big difference. Just be positive.

I was 36+2 and baby was 5 lbs 10 oz on u/s. I wouldn't worry and I wouldn't want to be induced. Doc told me I have a few more weeks for her to get bigger but she was healthy so don't worry. I am glad my doc didn't freak out like that I probably would have been upset like you are. I've come to grips that my little one will b tiny but she is healthy and that's what matters. I'm not being monitored anymore either and no nst's. If you PM me we can talk more.

They are notoriously off with weight. Just to give you a positive story:

With my first, I measured 4-6 weeks behind the entire pregnancy. I'm 5/9", so I have room to have big babies. They put me on nst and all that, even in labor told me I was going to have some tiny peanut maybe 5 pounds...he was 7.9 Nothing huge, but they were obviously off. I carry very deep, so I never looked pregnant.

The deal with the "percentile" number is that means that your baby is bigger than 18% of babies (roughly) around the same age. What that means is that it's just putting your baby on the bell curve, so, yeah, 50th percentile is right in the middle but has very little to do with what's "right" for your baby. They measure kids that way too, and I was always exactly 25th percentile of height and weight my whole life--all that meant was that, fully grown, I'm 5'1". It just is what it is. Most likely, the only reason to even pay attention to that is to make sure that the baby continues to be on track as you get closer to labor. That weight is low for a birth weight, but it's not an unhealthy weight and it's certainly not that weird for 36 weeks, from what I understand. I would try not to worry, especially with a healthy heartbeat and movement.

--

Our family is complete: Feb '12 DD and Jan '14 DS

"Because I love my kids but I don't think I suck the farts out of them love them." - Youfilthycad

at week 36 my baby was in the 10th percentile at 4lbs I am now 38 and she has gained a pound. I know that can be scary I was in your same position but doctors say anything from 10th to 90th is normal and I go to a high risk spcecialist. Don't panic. My doctor actually pushed my c-section date back to give her more time to grow instead of taking her at 39 weeks like we origially planned.

Try to relax. A friend of mine experienced the same thing. They monitored her closely with weekly U/S and twice/week NSTs from 36 weeks on because her baby was measuring small. They talked about induction at 38 weeks, but at 38 weeks the baby was still growing (small but steady growth) and NSTs were great. She ended up being induced one day after her EDD. Baby was 6 lbs. 12 oz. and totally, perfectly healthy.

This is why my MW refuses to do late sonos unless the baby's breech. I'm still measuring 3 weeks behind but my weight is good and my belly's just small. I would definitely refuse to be induced, as long as the hb and movement are good.

--

Nadia (27)& Craig (35) =Riley 2-23-12

new baby on the way 12/17/15! Attached breastfeeding bedsharing nonvaxing mama and proud of it!